Vermont boasts many historic locations that showcase everything from Revolutionary War battles fought on Lake Champlain, to Vermont’s original constitution adopted in 1777. Explore some of these historic places today!
Visit Ethan Allen, leader of the Green Mountain Boys who captured Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in 1775, or discover Emma Willard who pioneered women’s education.
Mount Independence
Mount Independence, situated across Lake Champlain from Fort Ticonderoga, was home to extensive American Revolutionary War fortifications during its heyday. Visitors can explore relics such as three brigade encampments, barracks, the largest hospital built during this conflict period, and an 11th-century star-shaped fort along its six miles of hiking trails.
Location was selected because it offered natural strong defensive capabilities. Mount Independence was given its name on July 28, 1776 after Colonel Schuyler read out the Declaration of Independence to assembled troops.
Emma Willard House
The Emma Willard House is an historic property constructed in 1809 near Middlebury College. Designed in a Federal style of architecture, its two-story brick and frame construction dates back to 1809.
Emma Hart Willard was a pioneer of women’s education in America. She founded Troy Female Seminary and introduced subjects once considered inappropriate for young women such as science and philosophy to its student body.
She wrote numerous textbooks to advance women’s education. She passed away in 1870.
Calvin Coolidge Homestead
Calvin Coolidge was born and raised in this Vermont village before learning of President Warren Harding’s death and being sworn-in as president by his father on August 3, 1923 – all three events taking place within this same old family home.
This historic site has been preserved to resemble what it looked like at the time of Coolidge’s inauguration, including his home and his father’s general store which are both located here.
Robert Frost Farm
Robert Frost is one of Vermont’s best-known poets, finding his literary voice here at a farm he called “Gully,” or the Gulley in Derry. This National Historic Site should definitely be visited.
Here, he decided to write poetry without the safety net of financial or public praise, producing some of his best known pieces during that period.
Bennington College now oversees the house and its seven acres containing rugged old stone walls, offering tours, programs and even a nature/poetry trail for tours and programs.
George Perkins Marsh Boyhood Home
George Perkins Marsh was one of America’s earliest environmentalists and author of Man and Nature – widely acknowledged as the first documented work examining how humans impact nature. His home in Woodstock is open for guided tours from May through October.
This Queen Anne-style house served as George Perkins Marsh’s boyhood home and later that of Frederick Billings, co-founder of Northern Pacific Railroad.
Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms in Vermont stands as an outstanding example of late 19th-century model farm and country estate architecture, having been established by William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb in 1886.
This property boasts a stunning landscape encompassing gardens, fields, forests, streams and a large lake – as well as an extensive network of walking trails – perfect for relaxation.
Now a nonprofit educational organization, this site promotes agricultural education and sustainability. Offering activities suitable for all ages.
Naulakha
Rudyard Kipling spent five years living at Naulakha (meaning “great jewel”) between 1892 and 1896, writing there the iconic books like The Jungle Book, The Day’s Work and Captains Courageous as well as writing several Just So Stories.
National Historic Landmark at Rhododendron Tunnel offers self-guided tours and overnight stays this month when its blooming rhododendrons come into bloom. Visitors can walk the Rhododendron Tunnel, visit a barn museum and picnic on its expansive grounds containing gardens, stone pergolas and one of Vermont’s first clay tennis courts – perfect spots to witness Vermont spring bloom.
Vermont State House
Vermont State House in Montpelier is one of our nation’s oldest and best preserved capitol buildings; home to some of Vermont’s finest art works as well.
Young’s design featured a central Doric porticoed Thesion and two Doric porticoed lateral wings topped with a Roman saucer dome. Inside, Silloway’s first floor cast-iron Ionic features give way to Renaissance Revival splendor complete with gilt ceilings and elaborate murals.
Old Round Church
The Old Round Church in Richmond is a National Historic Landmark and popular wedding venue. Open for public tours during summer and fall months, as well as hosting community events.
Built between 1812-1813 to serve as both a town meeting hall and place of worship for five different Protestant denominations, this is now one of only two surviving 16-sided wooden meeting houses built early 19th century.
